Anyone who has ever un curso de milagros opened the pages of A Course in Miracles knows that it is not a light reading. The Course uses a complex style that can be difficult to understand, and the daily Workbook lessons are demanding in terms of commitment and discipline.
ACIM blends Christian doctrine with Freudian psychology and Eastern metaphysics to present a profoundly different kind of spiritual teaching.
What is a miracle?
For Christians and people of all faiths, miracles are extraordinary circumstances that point to God’s existence and power. The Bible records many miracles, from the creation of the universe to the parting of the Red Sea and Jesus’ incarnational birth and death. In this course, we will explore what makes something miraculous and examine whether miracles are limited to the Bible or if they occur throughout history.
A Course in Miracles (ACIM) is a self-study spiritual thought system that has affected thousands of lives, though no one tracks the number. It uses Christian terminology to describe the concepts that make up its thought system, but it also evokes universal spiritual themes, particularly in its emphasis on experience over belief in a theology. Nevertheless, ACIM is not a religion and does not claim to be the only path to God.
It was channeled through Helen Schuchman, a Columbia University psychologist, through a process of inner dictation that began in 1965. The three volumes of the Course – the Text, Workbook for Students, and Manual for Teachers – took seven years to write and were first published in 1976. The authors do not take credit for the Course, but instead identify themselves as the scribes and the voice that dictated it as the Christ.
People often cite dramatic events like a terminal cancer patient’s spontaneous remission or an earthquake victim being rescued after spending days trapped under rubble as miracles. Yet, quiet, unexplainable experiences such as figuring out how to solve a difficult problem or meeting your future spouse may also be considered miracles.
For this reason, it is important to explore what makes an event a miracle. This will help us clarify our beliefs about the supernatural and help us see how miracles are present in our daily lives. We will also consider whether genuine miracles are occurring today, and if so, what tell-tale characteristics might identify them? If miracles are indeed rare, we will investigate why this is the case and look at how we can change the current reality.
What is the purpose of the course?
While ACIM is not a religion, it presents a spiritual way of life that mixes Christian terminology with Eastern mysticism, perennial philosophy, and modern psychological insights. It teaches that the goal of life is undoing the illusion of separation in all its forms, and that forgiveness is the means to achieve this.
A Course in Miracles began with two Columbia University psychologists who were tired of the anger and division that permeated their lives. They agreed to join together and find a different way. According to the premise of A Course in Miracles, this was the moment when they "laid down their little wills and joined with the Will of God." The Course was first published in 1976 by the Foundation for Inner Peace. It is said to be written by Helen Schucman through a process of inner dictation, which she reported as being a voice that identified itself as Jesus. It has since been translated into over 25 languages.
The Course is divided into three volumes: the 669-page Text, containing the theoretical foundation for the thought system of the Course; the 448-page Workbook for Students, containing 365 daily lessons to apply the principles of the Course to one's life; and the 92-page Manual for Teachers, a guide to teaching and extending the Course's thought system to others. It is taught that the Course should be studied in a group, with an experienced student (a "teacher") playing the role of mentor and skillfully guiding a newer student.
The goal of A Course in Miracles is to help each student remember who he or she really is, and therefore experience the love, freedom, and peace that all major spiritual paths speak of. Achieving this happiness requires learning how to forgive oneself and others, which is why the Course stresses the importance of forgiveness as a practice. It also emphasizes the importance of understanding that nothing outside ourselves can affect our internal state, and that we are each responsible for the choices we make. This is a profound teaching that challenges many long-held beliefs about the nature of reality.
How do I do a course in miracles?
Despite its esoteric language, ACIM is very practical and can be learned by anyone willing to apply the principles taught in it. The workbook lessons provide a step-by-step method by which you can change your beliefs about reality and experience miracles in your daily life. The key is to read and do the workbook lessons daily. It takes commitment to devote the time and energy required but the rewards are tremendous!
It is also recommended to read the text at a pace that feels right to you. Some people prefer to read one chapter a week, while others like to read a section or even a lesson a day (though this is probably ambitious!). Some people may also want to add the manual and Song of Prayer to their reading list. The names of the authors do not appear on the cover because the Course is meant to stand on its own and allow each reader to find their internal teacher.
The Course is a restatement of core wisdom found in every major world religion. While it uses Christian terminology, it is ecumenical and does not seek to promote any particular religion or belief system. It is helpful to read the text with an open mind and listen for your inner voice to guide you in your understanding of the words and concepts presented.
Once you have a firm grasp on the concepts of the Course, your next step is to practice it. It is recommended to spend 10-30 minutes each day doing the lessons in the Workbook. These can be done passively while you do other activities but are best when you are in a relaxed state. It is also recommended to join a study group and share your thoughts and experiences with other students.
Finally, it is helpful to use the free ACIM Text Made Simple and Daily Lesson Insights (as well as other available resources) as study aids to help you understand the teachings of the Course. These are available at MiraclesOne. If you need further assistance, feel free to contact us or check out our ACIM FAQ page.
What is a course in miracles about?
A Course in Miracles is a self-study curriculum that teaches a spiritual way of life. It mixes Christian terminology with Eastern mysticism and perennial philosophy, and is sometimes described as a psychological and spiritual path, not a religion. It is popular with those interested in attitudinal healing and with the bestselling authors like Marianne Williamson and Iyanla Vanzant, and has made its way into Unity churches and prisons. It was first published in 1976. It is ascribed to Helen Schucman, who claims to have received the book through a process of inner dictation. She identified the voice she heard as that of Jesus. The course is divided into a text, workbook for students, and manual for teachers. Its popularity and widespread acceptance have been fueled by its emphasis on forgiveness, which is a key theme throughout the book.
The workbook lessons are designed to be a step-by-step method for applying the Course's principles of forgiveness and love to daily life. It is recommended that new students of the course read and work through the text at a pace that feels comfortable to them. Many people have found it beneficial to read two or three pages a day, rather than trying to blast through the entire book in one sitting. It is also helpful to take breaks from studying the Course from time to time.
One of the main themes in A Course in Miracles is that we are all love and that loving others is the only way to be happy. It teaches that when we choose to see the world through the eyes of love, we will experience a peace and ecstasy that cannot be matched by anything else in this world. This is a shift of perception, mind, and belief – from the ego's version of reality to the truth. It is this shift that the course calls a miracle.
This shift is possible through the power of prayer, and A Course in Miracles suggests ways to pray effectively. It also teaches us to remember the truth about ourselves, others, and God, which is that they are all love. This memory enables us to release the fear and suffering of separation, and wake up to the experience of perfect peace, freedom, joy, and oneness that the course (and all major spiritual traditions) speak of.
